Underground Gibraltar

Vanguard is the sister cave to Gorham’s Cave. It has a 17-metre archaeological sequence which is currently the subject of research. This cave was occupied by the Neanderthals and has produced the first evidence anywhere that Neanderthals consumed marine foods, including shellfish, seals, dolphins and fish. It is therefore of major world importance as a site that reveals Neanderthal behaviour in intimate detail. Unlike Gorham’s Cave, the archaeological sequence in Vanguard Cave is Neanderthal and there is no record of later occupation here. It is an important component of the Gorham’s Cave Complex which is in the process of nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Status.